I wonder about whether he will come or not.
2007-12-07 09:17:21 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I wonder about whether he will come or not.
I know the preposition 'about' should be omitted but why? Normally after prepositions we are allowed to use 'whether'. For example, 'It is a matter of whether we agree or not'.
2007-12-07 09:30:55 · update #1
You don't need the word "about". Eliminate it.
Also, eliminate "or not". The sentence should be "I wonder whether he will come". Use of the word "whether" by definition implies a choice so you don't need "or not". It is understood from the statement that he may not come.
2007-12-07 09:21:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just the word "about." Avoid prepositions when you write, (well-- when you can--) because they will turn an active sentence ie, "I wonder whether he will come out" into a passive one, like the one you posted.
EDIT: I see I dropped the "or not" without a thought. Hmm. Instinctive I guess, because you don't need that either.
2007-12-07 09:22:55 · answer #2 · answered by LK 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could work in my mind. You could be stating that you are wondering about the fact that you are wondering whether he will come or not because in actual fact you are as you posed this question... therefor you would say as you did.... I wonder about whether he will come or not........ If you are not happy with that you could just say....... I wonder if he will turn up!
2007-12-07 09:38:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Wonder about" is used less specifically than "wonder". Use just wonder + an indirect question if there's a particular question you want answered.
I wonder whether he will come.
I wonder where my husband is.
I wonder how my keys ended up in the ice cream.
Use wonder about + a noun phrase if you're not asking a particular question, but just thinking in general about something or someone that you don't have complete information about.
I wonder about my ex-boyfriend.
I wonder about your mental stability.
I wonder about the nature of God.
2007-12-07 10:07:00 · answer #4 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wonder whether or not he will come.
2007-12-07 09:20:01 · answer #5 · answered by sportsta22 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wonder whether he will come or not
2007-12-07 09:27:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I wonder whether he will come or not.
About is redundant...
2007-12-07 09:35:01 · answer #7 · answered by madsmaha1 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the about isnt necessary
2007-12-07 09:20:11 · answer #8 · answered by hot_lyps83 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋